The Hidden Dangers Of Eczema Steroid Creams

Did you know that use of topical hydrocortisone cream for such conditions as psoriasis, eczema and dermatitis can cause a number of harmful side effects?

The fact is that most “over the counter” topical steroids can contain 1 percent of hydrocortisone while prescription hydrocortisone creams can contain much more.

Hydrocortisone, a steroid used to reduce inflammation, is sold extensively in over-the-counter skin ointments. Doctors can even prescribe larger doses some of which can be given by injection. My strong recommendation is that people should be on their strictest guard about over the counter as well as prescribed use of hydrocortisone.

Let me start by giving you a quick understanding of skin structure. You see, your skin is designed to protect you from countless insults: from air pollution to murky lake water, from dirty gasoline-pump handles to staph.

Skin cells provide a physical barrier, sort of like bricks and mortar, to keep the bad things out – most of the time. The cells aren’t as tightly packed as real bricks though, which means things can squeeze by and penetrate.

The bad news is that strong chemicals can penetrate sensitive or thin skin, cause an allergic reaction, and dangerously flood your bloodstream. Hydrocortisone significantly increased the chances of a number of viruses to infect human blood cells and has even been known to cause blood poisoning.

Then, when you apply hydrocortisone cream to sensitive spots such as the eyelids, armpits, and groin (all places where eczema, rashes, and allergic reactions are particularly common), skin is thinner and more folds exist, so skin hits skin often, which can cause medications to penetrate more deeply.

These areas are also prone to stretch marks, irritation, hypo-pigmentation (lightening), and “a crinkly, cigarette-paper” appearance.

Continued use of topical steroid creams containing hydrocortisone can cause the skin to develop a resistance (called tachyplaxis) to the medication. As a result, in order to have the desired medical effect, a stronger and more potent steroid may be needed, which may cause even more potential side effects.

These side effects may include: thinning of the skin, easy bruising, permanent dilation of certain blood vessels, burn marks on skin, liver and kidney damage and a weakened immune system.

Elidel is a cream containing pimecrolimus, an immunosuppressant. It works by decreasing your body’s immune system to help slow down the growth of atopic dermatitis (eczema) on your skin.

Elidel is used to treat severe atopic dermatitis when other medications have not worked well. Elidel is most definitely not for long term use and should not be used at all if you knew the warnings. This is why the doctor says to not use more than 2 weeks.

Important information about Elidel

Do not use Elidel on a child 2 years of age or younger.

A small number of people have developed skin cancer after using tacrolimus (Protopic) skin medications

My son was using prescription elidel and his skin was thinning and we were unaware of the cancer effects. We stopped using immediately once we were alerted. They actually had to recall and put the warning on all the labels. Steroid creams are the worse and there is a better, safer way.

To read the entire report on the dangers of eczema steroid creams, you can download your free copy by clicking here